About this project

Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique

$8,641

78

Why make a Kickstarter?

Outsider Comics is a passion project to make comics and geek culture items available to everyone, and we need your help to stock this welcoming, inclusive space with inventory our customers will love.

We formed Outsider Comics in July 2016, and since then our capital has been going towards getting the business off the ground. In addition to paying for the nuts and bolts, we’ve used our startup capital to build comic inventory from Diamond. We've also used startup capital to pay for licenses, rent, paint, flooring and point of sale/inventory equipment. We've ordered geek stock from key suppliers like Elhoffer Designs, Smartergarter, Nerd Laquer, Han Cholo, Sweet Romance, Out of Print, Frostbeard Studios, Weirdo Weapons and Espionage Cosmetics. To carry all of this inventory has stretched us thin, and we still want to offer our customers more options.

We are using the initial proceeds from the Kickstarter to support additional inventory buff-ups, such as funding exclusive creator art for Kickstarter reward prints and T-Shirts, an enhanced children's section, a selection of bags and wallets, glassware, permanent seating and more comprehensive cosplay supplies, just to name a few.

This shop is all about supporting local and northwest-based comic, science fiction and fantasy creators. We will host art and game events at the shop. The Kickstarter will help us commission art from these creators for the shop. It will also increase the type and amount of inventory we can stock, just in time for the geeky gift season!

Once we hit stretch goals, we will pay for creator travel expenses to Seattle for signing events, both for the grand opening and for other great events to come in 2017.

We picked a conservative goal for the Kickstarter, but we have plans for benchmarks to reveal along the way. We'll keep going bigger! Let's get to $20K so Matt Fraction (creator of Sex Criminals and ODY-C) will sign your comics (see in Stretch Goals)!

What we are about

Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique is an inclusive space for people who love geek fandom and who are often underserved by many comic shops. We are focused on titles that are indie and alternative, but also bring in mainstream comics so we have a bit of everything. We are a safe place for women and LGBTQA people and we will also carry product for and by these groups.

Our aim is to provide a unique bricks and mortar shopping experience for our customers and to break down the high barrier to entry for "n00bs" who want to get into comics, but aren't sure where to start. We will offer intro bundles of our favorite comics by genre. We will carry a range of other product lines that complement comics, such as high-end geek fashion, jewelry, as well as cosplay accessories and supplies. Our product mix is unusual and not found in a single retail location.

In the first year, we anticipate some inventory trial and error, and will adjust what we carry based on what our customers want. We will also co-sponsor events with our partner businesses in Fremont, and will work with local charities like the Short Run organization and other non-profit organizations throughout Seattle to support our inclusiveness mission.

We plan on holding events such as book clubs, art showcase events, creator readings and signings, RPG nights and cosplay build nights.

GOALS

$1000 - Paul Morrissey (@PaulieWog) and Heather Nuhfer (@HeatherNuhfer) will come into the shop and sign their comics (for free) during the grand opening. Heather writes for Teen Titans Go! and has just completed her first novel. Paul is the Eisner-Award-winning editor of Mouse Guard and is currently with local publisher Jet City Comics. They are newlyweds, great storytellers, and amazing people!

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$1500 - Comic creator Lonnie Mann (@LonnieComics) will come into the shop and sign his comics during the grand opening weekend. We will also have an event in 2016 where Lonnie will talk about incidental queerness in comics (meaning comics that feature queer characters, but the stories aren't necessarily about sexual orientation).

$2000 - The shop will stock a selection of nerdy coloring books for kids and adults, along with coloring and writing instruments, and paint-by-sticker books.

$4000 - The shop will stock a wide selection of wallets and bags, focusing on a variety of sizes, styles, and fandoms.

$5000 - INITIAL GOAL

Five thousand is our goal for Kickstarter funding, so we can supply coloring books and bags, and pay creators for artwork to give away to Kickstarter backers and to sell in the store.

2) If we hit our goal, we'll hold a Kickstarter-backer party to happen in early November! Lots of prizes, specials, and snacks. We'll partner with our next door neighbor Outlander Pub and Brewery to make a custom brew and celebrate.

Stretch Goals

$6000 - Stretch Goal 1:

We will have creator Georgia Ball and Scott Ball attend the grand opening and sign books. Georgia Ball is a writer for Strawberry Shortcake and Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Artist Scott Ball's work includes Sesame Street and Strawberry Shortcake. Scott has donated a beautiful image for Kickstarter backer reward postcards and for the future coloring book and shirts. Image to come shortly!

Snacks: We are going to hold events, so we should have sustenance options. This goal will allow us to purchase a variety of prepackaged food for our customers who come in for events, or just want to pick something up on their way home. We are looking at carrying these items amongst others:

Low guilt and delicious Dardimon's California Crisps is dried-fruit that is crispy like a cracker, low-cal, no sugar; you can use these with dips, cheese, and spreads instead of crackers. They also have some sugar free lollipops. Finally, we will get Off the Farm nutrition bars which are made from scratch by hand. All of these products are pre-tested and delicious.

$7500 - Stretch Goal 2: In addition to cosplay accessories, we will carry more cosplay supplies like sheets of Worbla, Eva Foam, leather, vegan leather, and cosplay tools. We'll also start creating a station in-house for cosplay tools so Cosplay pros have a place to demo when they come into the shop for build nights.

Also at this goal: Josh Kruse from Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and Kruse Cosplay will host a how-to cosplay-build session in November.

$10,000 - Stretch Goal 3: We will increase inventory on Children's clothing, geek kits, accessories, comics, and books, and will have a window during grand opening week with special deals and discounts to all Kickstarter backers.

$12,000 - Stretch Goal 4: We will get Portland creators Zachary Sterling and Aubrey Aieseto the shop in person for the opening and for signing their works. Zack is an artist for Adventure Time, and Aubrey is a letterer for Lumberjanes and Adventure Time.

$15,000 - Stretch Goal 5: Geek Drinks! Glasses and Mugs! This liquid holder bump includes barware, flasks, and mugs. There is so much cool stuff out there that we could bring into the shop. We bet that customers love holding that stuff in their hands as much as we do.

$18,000 - Stretch Goal 5:Event and Patio Furniture! Hey, we have a back deck at the shop but nothing to sit on out there. If we hit this level, we'll buy a weather-proof table and chairs so we can hold events outside. We will invest in a permanent selection of chairs and tables for signing events that we can purchase.

$20,000 - Stretch Goal 6:Matt Fraction, writer of Hawkeye and creator of Ody-C, Sex Criminals and more, will do a live Skype signing! We'll call him from the store via Skype and he will talk to fans 1:1 and sign your items in real time. Afterwards, Matt will ship your signed books to the shop for pickup.

Rewards

Note: All signed physical rewards are offered with the explicit consent of the creator. See all reward descriptions on the right side of the page and photos of some prime signed stuff photographed below.

If you want more than one reward, use the Kickstarter functionality "Manage my Pledge" and include the cost of the additional items. Then message us using "Contact Me." There is a small risk that someone else might purchase the item directly before you are able to, but we'll stay tuned in and watch the Kickstarter closely. It wouldn't hurt to shoot an email to info@outsidercomics to let us know you want additional items.

Risks and challenges

Some risks to the project:
1) the obvious: no one will be excited about our shop and we won't get funded. The shop will open in isolation without wider artist community backing and with limited inventory.

2) the good problem to have: that we are so busy at the shop, we won't be able to send out your backer rewards until Feburary 2017.

3) the acts of life: despite their original committment, creators have life events that may prohibit their attendance. We'll keep you updated with a grand opening event schedule along the way.

4) the space: buildout is planned to be complete in early October, but we are relying on contractors and other busy folks to finish the buildout. We have a small risk that we won't be ready by the first week of November as planned.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

Sonic Screwdriver

In addition to being publically spanked ... uh, thanked ... on our website, you will get a certificate of Kickstarter backing with a special thank you from the shop mailed to you - with a sweet surprise for your first visit into the Shop.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

Adventure-ist

Original graphic novel ADVENTURE TIME: MASKED MAYHEM, signed by letterer Aubrey Aiese. Letterers contribute so much to a good comic! You'll also get two postcard-sized prints and thanks on our website.

Click on the image of this book at the end of the main body text to see more from Aubrey!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $45 or more
About $45

Professor Legal Eagle

SHE CHANGED COMICS graphic novel detailing female creators in comics today by Image Comics and the CBLDF (comic book legal defence fund), signed by editor Betsy Gomez. This reward also includes a SHE CHANGED COMICS sticker.

You'll also get two postcard prints and our thanks emblazoned on the Outsider website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

B.P.R.D.

Signed and numbered HELLBOY print from Mike Mignala, also receive two Kickstarter postcard-sized prints, and our thanks on the website. Click on the image to see Mike Mignala's website with other works.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Cursed Pirate

Two volumes of CURSED PIRATE GIRL, both signed by artist Jeremy Bastian. Beautiful detail, and a custom tiny-lined illustration just for you the Kickstarter backer - that got me the stink-eye from a long line of fans at Rose City Comicon. Thanks Jeremy!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Admiral Badass

You get an official title with the company, such as Chair of Tardis Repair, Knight of Tacos, Vogon Poet and more. We'll name check you and your fancy title on the website, and your name and Kickstarter sponsorship will be commemorated with a plaque displayed in the shop.

You will also receive a Kickstarter shirt, two signed postcard-sized Kickstarter prints, 3 owner-selected surprise comic issues, and an enamel Outsider Comics pin.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

All Your Base

Get a plaque and official title with Outsider Comics at the platinum level (larger plaques, longer titles) to be displayed prominently in the store) and an early copy of the Outsider Comics Kickstarter Coloring book made up of our supporter-creator inks.

You will also get all Kickstarter prints (at full size), signed by the creators, including those released during stretch goals.

You'll get a Kickstarter T-shirt and in January we will ship you all of this with an owner selected graphic novel, 3 issues along with an Outsider Comics enamel pin. You'll also get the coloring book and the membership card.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,200 or more
About $1,200

Polyhedral Party President

Co-Owner Reagan will GM a custom role playing game, tailored just for you and four of your friends. This tabletop adventure can be for up to 10 sessions at the shop, you will have to provide your own transportation. We'll also thank you profusely, give you a title and a plaque, a bundle of signed Kickstarter prints and a Kickstarter T-Shirt in your size.